Valve mechanism.



H. P. BALLOU.

VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-28, 1915 1,157,972, Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

MEX/255555,

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60.,WA5HINGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

HOLDEN P. BALLOT)", OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T \VALTER S.SGHUTZ, TRUSTEE, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed January 28, 1915.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HOLDEN P. BALLOU, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and Stateof Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inValve Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to valve-mecha- .nism.

Valve mechanism involving my invention is of especial utility whenincorporated in or forming part of a pneumatic pianoplayer, being ofsuch character as to secure accurate tone effects in a simple eHectivemanner and at the same time insure precise movement of a valve orvalves.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the presentspecification I have shown in detail one of the several convenient formsof embodiment of the invention which to enable those skilled in the artto practice the same will be set forth fully in the followingdescription. I do not restrict myself to this disclosure; I may departtherefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention definedby the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings: Figure 1 is a cross section of a vacuumchest in which are incorporated valve mechanisms constructed inaccordance with the invention, the ducts shown therein being partly inelevation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a valve casing, and, Fig. 3is a like view of a valve seat.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

As intimated I provide an organization wherein a valve or valves can beguided properly in the various movements thereof, while at the same timeT can insure precise regulation of one or more of such valves. By suchregulation I obtain positively correct tones in playing; that is to saythe player attachment can be put into exact harmony with the pianoaction.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have shown a valve or vacuum chest or box 2such as is more fully illustrated in my contemporane ously pendingapplication filed May 9, 1914, Serial No. 831,419. I show this chestmerely to bring out the advantages of the improved structure; any otheror some equivalent part might be substituted for the chest or boxrepresented, theinvention not residing in Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

Serial No. 4,921.

the chest or analogous elementpcrsc. Fitted lnto the vacuum chest 2 ared-cts 3 and 4t connected with pneumatics as 5, only one of the upperpneumatics being shown. The upper ends of these ducts 3 and 1 connectwith vertical passages as 6 in the vacuum chest 2, the lower ends of thepassages 6 opening into the vacuum chamber 7, while the upper ends ofsaid passages are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere by way ofone or more ports in valve seats as will hereinafter appear. Tvith thevacuum chamber '7 there is connected in practice a suitable exhaustdevice. (Not shown). The upper ends of the passages 6 open into chambersS in which lower and upper valves as 9 and 10 are disposed. As will beunderstood the passages 6 do not connect directly with the atmospherebut do so through the interme diate chambers 8, the chamber on the leftbeing longer than that on the right. The pairs of valves 9 and 10 areproperly spaced from each other and are fastened to stems as 11connected at their lower ends with diaphragms 12 covering the chambers13 con nected by passages as 1% through the medium of suitable duetswith a tracker board, neither the ducts nor the tracker board be ingshown. The bleed openings 15 extend from the main vacuum chamber 7 tothe passages 14, so that when'the music sheet covers the perforations inthe tracker board the suction in the main chamber 7 by way of the bleedopenings 15, passages 14c and chambers 13 will draw the diaphragms 12downward to cause the valves 9 to close or seat against the upper endsof the passages 6 as shown in Fig. 1 which is the normal relation. Whenthe vacuum in a chamber 13 is Lroken by communication with the atmosphere through a perforation in the tracker, the diaphragm 12 over saidchamber is elevated by suction, thereby raising or opening the coactinglower valve 9 and at the same time elevating the complemental valve 10or closing the latter against its seat as will hereinafter appear tothus put a duct as 3 or a into communication with the vacuum chamber 7and result in the operation of a pneumatic as 5. The foregoing is abrief description of the vacuum chest construction and valves shown inmy said application.

Preferably driven into the upper sides of the chambers 8 so as totightly fit therein, are bushings or sleeves 16 which as shown are ofcircular form. These bushings or sleeves 16 constitute suitable casingsfor valve seats as 17 hereinafter more particularly described. Saidbushings 16 are provided on their outer sides with annular flanges l8fitting tightly and substantially against the upper surface of the chestThese bushings or valve casings 16 I prefer to make of metal, sheetbrass answering satisfactorily in this connection. The valve seats 17are of cup form, being also preferably of metal, as sheet brass, theirbottoms or body portions being centrally perforated as at 19 to providebearings for and to slidingly receive the respective stems 11, so thatthe valve seats in addition to serving as such, constitute guides forthe valves. The flange or wall portions of the cup-like valve seats 17are externally threaded to fit internal threads in the bushings orcasings 16 from which, as will be inferred, said seats can be adjustedeither inwardly or outwardly. The body portions of the valve seats 17are shown perforated as at 20, there being five of such perforations(see Fig. 3) which serve a double purpose, acting as ports and also as aconvenient means for receiving a spanner or other suitable tool by Whichsaid'seats can be adjusted asrequired. By adjusting these seats, thetime of closing of the valves can be regulated to thus regulate theaction of the piano. When the valves become worn from use, the seats canbe slightly moved inward to compensate for the wear. The valve seats areaccessible and can be easily adjusted. It will be evident that when theupper valves 10 are open, they uncover the ports or openings 20 as shownin Fig. 1, so as to put the chambers 8 into communication with theatmosphere by way of said ports. When the valves 10, however, areclosed, they cover the perforations or ports 20 and thereby cut off thechambers 8 from the atmosphere.

hat I claimis:

1. A vacuum chest having a valve therein, a bushing fitted in saidchest, a stem to which said valve is connected and a seat for the valveadjustably fitted in said bushing, the seat being perforated therebyproviding a bearing to receive said-stem and being also perforated toprovide ports, the latter acting as means whereby the seat can beadjusted.

2. A vacuum chest having a valve therein, a bushing fitted in saidchest, a stem to which the valve is connected, and a seat for the valvethreaded in said bushing to permit adjustment of the seat, the latterbeing perforated thereby providing a bearing to receive the stem andbeing also perforated to provide ports and the latter acting as meanswhereby the seat can be adjusted.

3. A vacuum chest having a valve therein, a bushing dr'ven into saidchest and having an annular flange overlying the chest, a stem to whichsaid valve is connected, and a seat for the valve threaded in saidbushing for adjustment and being perforated to provide ports and toprovide means whereby the seat can be adjusted. a

4:. A vacuum chest having a valve therein,

a bushing fitted in said chest, a stem to which the valve is connected,and a seat for the valve adjustably fitted in said bushing,

like seat for the valve, adjustably fitted in said bushing, the bodyportion of the seat being perforated thereby providing a hearing toreceive said stem and being also ported.

6. A vacuum-chest having a valve therein, said valve being provided witha stem, a metal bushing driven into said chest and having a flangeoverlying the chest, a metal cup-like member fitted in said bushing, thecup-like member being externally threaded and the bushing beinginternally threaded to receive the threads. of the cup-like mem her toprovide for the adjustment of the cuplike member in the direction of theaXisof the bushing, said cup-like member constituting a valve seat, thebody of said cup-like member being centrally perforated therebyproviding a bearing to slidingly receive said stem and also having aseries of other perforations surrounding the central perforation, saidlast mentioned perforations constituting ports governed by said valveand also presenting a means to receive a tool by which said cup-likemember can be turned in said bushing.

Tn testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOLDEN P. BALLOU.

Witnesses L. L. MARKEL, HEATH SUTI-IERLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained-for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

